More Highlights From the Test

I look totally fierce in this photo (doing Bo 8, if I recall correctly) Here I'm throwing Sensei Gant (who received the title of sensei at the end of our test for all his teaching). This is a funny story. Back oh, about 3 years ago, I was a blue belt at Mr. Gant's first degree black belt test. I run up, throw a wheel kick, he grabs my foot and flips me. All caught on a camera with one of those rapid shots going on. So it's like a filmstrip. During MY test, he asks Sensei Shaw if he can get in the line, does so, and throws a wheel kick. Without even hesitating, I capture it and throw him to the ground, then realize what I did and start laughing! He said afterwards it was only a little bit of a gimmie. I really did do a good throw and he was expecting it. Good times, and he's a great teacher!


Jeff broke a cinderblock with his head. Nothing I can say about that other than awesome. During the final "nailing on the belt" with Sensei Shaw, Jeff quite naturally saw an opening and put him in a headlock. The reaction from the crowd was the slow Oooooooh! When he released him, they sparred for a couple more minutes and then Shaw got is payback, punching him a little in the chest and calling him a dirty sneak. This is the exact moment I got the welt on my head.

And here's the video that was shot of my stomp kick. You can see my foot really impact the floor. That's what caused the bruising!

I am a blackbelt.

It has taken four years of hard work and dedication to be able to say that phrase. At the end of the test, Sensei Shaw asked each of us, "Was it worth it?"

Absolutely

Totally.

Without a doubt.

I have this.

And this

And this

I broke these (Part of the reason for the bruised heel - No, not from the bricks, from hitting the slab foundation beneath it!)

And got to do this to my husband.



And I hurt EVERYWHERE.


But it's worth it. I am a blackbelt.

I'm certain there will be a couple more rounds of pictures coming as other friends empty their cameras, but these were the highlights so far.

Another Stripe Gone!

So the top descriptor has changed, as Jeff and I successfully completed our tests for first brown. It was a really great test for us. Both of us made small mistakes on katas and such, but either the black belts didn't notice or they didn't think too much of it. I received a lot of compliments on my self-defense sets, and one of the black belts wants me to teach him some of them! I take that as a very high compliment from him!

One of the students who was testing with us, well, we knew ahead of time he was going to be trouble. He didn't come in to class, he obviously didn't practice, and we saw something we've never seen before. He didn't get stepped out on. He failed, and while the rest of us were told we had permission to walk the line for our belts, he was told to get back in to line. Oh. . . the tears. I have to say though I wholehartedly agree with Sensei Shaw's decision. I overheard him and another black belt discussing it afterwards and she said she wouldn't have felt good about passing him. He was going for his brown belt, and really did not show the level of energy and effort required.

But enough about the bad. The afterparty was fabulous. Another student had brought in bottles of water nestled in ice. Well, a few drinks later and the ice is going where? Down peoples' shirts. Fun times. I am proud to say I was the instigator of that. They got me good, though. Mr. Shaw decided it was time for my comeuppance, and he pinned me while some of the kid students poured cold ice water down my pants. brrr. I got him, though. My hand was free and there was a particularly large piece of ice within reach. I got it down his pants, and I think into his underwear! hee hee. good times.

I'll post pictures when I get them back. My friend and fellow student Kellie took a bunch of them and another student Peter videotaped the whole thing. I appreciate them greatly for what all they did.

So I'm sore all over, partially from the test, partially from the wrestling with the kids and Mr. Shaw afterwards. I think Jeff and I are going to go see Pirates, and then supposedly my boss is having a graduation party for his son, which we were planning on attending. I'll have to call and see if that's still on, because Tropical Storm Barry's remnants are currently dumping a lot of well-needed rain on the area. Hey, maybe my grass will grow!